The main character of Mob Psycho 100, Shigeo Kageyama, Aka Mob, stands out not only for his immense psychic powers but also for his humble, reserved demeanor — a far cry from the usual Shonen heroes who take great pride in their powers. This resulted in many viewers speculating that the creator of the series, One, might have created Mob as a reflection of himself. However, according to One, this is so not true.

Mob Psycho 100 Season 2 | Credit: Studio Bones

In fact, the creator believes Mob to be the exact opposite of him. One has admitted that Mob is closer to an “ideal protagonist” — a character embodying qualities that even he struggles to manifest in real life.

The Birth of a Distinct Protagonist through Mob in Mob Psycho 100

When One first conceived Mob Psycho 100, he had no intention of creating a traditional Shonen manga. In an interview which was translated by Mark Cha,...